Sailors Swat Down Wolverines

Newport Harbor overpowered Aliso Niguel on both sides of the ball en route to a 42-7 Sea View League victory Friday. Chris Manderino rushed for 133 yards in 26 carries and scored three touchdowns.

The victory clinched second place for the Sailors, as well as the league’s No. 2 berth into the Southern Section Division VI playoffs.

Newport Harbor scored on its first possession when Manderino capped a 77-yard drive with a four-yard run.

Manderino scored again in the second quarter when he ran in from 19 yards to make the score 14-0. Four minutes later, he scored his third touchdown on a two-yard run to give Newport Harbor a 21-0 lead.

“Chris really ran the ball well for us,” Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “And our offensive line did a great job opening up some holes for him.”

Dane Barton blocked an Aliso Niguel punt at the Wolverines’ 21-yard line and recovered it in the end zone to give Newport Harbor a 28-0 advantage at halftime.

The Sailors’ defensive effort was just as impressive as their offensive outburst. Newport Harbor allowed only 17 yards in the first half without giving up a first down.

“I thought this was the most complete game we’ve played this year on both sides of the ball,” Brinkley said. “It gives us some positive momentum going into the playoffs.”

Newport Harbor extended its lead to 35-0 in the third quarter when Ryan Ortega ran in from 33 yards. A little more than a minute later, Dede Johnson ran in from six yards out to make it 42-0.

The Wolverines scored with 8:56 remaining in the fourth quarter when quarterback Joel Smith hit Dominic Ruiz in the end zone on a six-yard pass play.